Bedside reading stand



Nov. 2, 1965 B J. LITKE BEDSIDE READING STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1964 INVENTOR. l5EQA/HAQOZ' 1/, 07%:-

Nov. 2, 1965 B. J. LITKE- BEDSIDE READING STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ISEENHAPD) cf, Ll/"KE Filed Jan. 9, 1964 United States Patent 0 3,215,482 BEDSIDE READING STAND Bernhardt J. Litke, Omaha, Nebr. (219 E. Blair St., Lyons, Kans.) Filed Jan. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 336,806 10 Claims. (Cl. 312-233) This invention relates to a device which may be used to support a book, magazine or other material to be read in a position over a bed so that a person reclining in the bed may comfortably, and with a minimum of effort, visually perceive and read the printed matter in the book or magazine. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a bedside reading stand which is adapted to be used in several ways by positioning the material to be read on the stand in several positions and which further includes a table portion for supporting books, medicaments or other materials in a readily accessible position adjacent the bed.

A number of devices have heretofore been provided for supporting a book or magazine in an easily observed position over a bed so that invalids or other persons who are either bedfast, or who are merely resting in bed, may have the pleasure of reading without the difficulty of manipulating the book or physically supporting it for long periods of time. Although many of these devices have functioned quite well for the basic purpose of supporting the reading material in a position where it may be easily perceived by one resting in bed, it has frequently been time-consuming and rather difficult to adjust the book supporting device to the proper position. Moreover, as is wel known, one who is reclining in bed usually shifts his position at rather frequent intervals so that it is necessary to readjust the reading stand in order to permit the reading material to be easily viewed from any of a number of positions which the reader may occupy in the bed. Also, it is frequently difficult and time-con suming and, in some cases, impossible to use the reading stand on either side of the bed since a night stand or other table type device to which the reading stand is attached is adapted for placement to one side of the bed only, and the book supporting portion of such apparatus cannot be shifted about to adapt the device to use on both sides of the bed.

The present invention provides a bedside reading stand which comprises a supporting base member to which is adjustably attached a book holder which may be raised or lowered to any convenient reading height, and which is adapted to support a book in an opened position at a convenient distance from the eyes of a reader. The book supporting portion of the apparatus may be rotated about several different and spaced axes so that the device may be used either on the left side or the right side of a bed or chair, and may be quickly adapted to use for supporting a book to be read by one who may be reclining in bed with his head at either end thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting base of the apparatus takes the form of a night stand or end table which may be used to store and provide easy access to pencils, note paper, medicines, etc.

In one of its more specific aspects, the present invention comprises a night stand or end table to which is attached an adjustable holder for holding a book supporting device which is adapted to extend upwardly and outwardly over a bed. The book supporting device includes a bookshelf which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, takes the form of an L-shaped backboard and includes a pair of resiliently biased page retainer members which retain the pages of a book placed on the backboard in the position to which they have been opened by the reader. The L-shaped backboard is carried on a gen- 3,2i5,482 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 erally Z-sh-aped supporting arm and is pivotally secured to the supporting arm so that the backboard may be pivoted about a vertical axis extending through the portion of the Z-shaped supporting arm to which it is attached. The opposite end of the Z-shaped supporting arm is telescoped in the adjustable holder which is attached to the night stand so that the Z-shaped supporting arm and its associated backboard may be raised vertically to adjust the height of the book carried on the backboard above the bed.

A lamp is attached to the backboard and is positioned thereabove to provide proper illumination for books supported on the L-shaped backboard without causing annoyance to other people who may occupy the room where the invention is in use.

From the foregoing description of the invention it will have become apparent that it is a major object of the present invention to provide an improved book holding device which is especially well adapted for supporting reading material in a position over a bed which permits a bedfast reader to read in comfort for extended periods of time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable reading stand which can support reading material in a variety of positions, and which therefore permits greater selectivity by a reader of a position in which a book will be retained during its reading.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination night stand or end table, and reading material holding device which may be used to support reading material over a bed so that a person reclining in the bed may easily read such material, and may simultaneously have access to other reading materials, stationery, medicines and the like which are supported on or stored in the end table or night stand portion of the device.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a bedside reading stand which may be used to hold a book or magazine in proper position for reading by one confined to the bed, said stand being adjustable about sever-al spaced axes so that the book may be held in substantially any position desired, and so that the stand may be folded relative-1y compactly for storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bedside reading stand which is relatively inexpensive in construction, yet which is mechanically strong and durable, and is characterized by a long and trouble-free service life.

In addition to the foregoing objects and advantages of the invention, additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed disclosure is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of one embodiment of the reading stand of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a detail view of the back of the book supporting portion of the reading stand of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a detail view partially in section showing the manner in which the L-shaped backboard of the reading stand is attached to the Z-shaped supporting arm.

FIGURE 6 is a view in section taken along line 66 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded elevational view of the telescoping assembly used to support the book supporting portion of the reading stand on the night stand portion of the reading stand.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view taken through the longitudinal axis of the telescoping assembly illustrated in exploded relation in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a detail view of a modified, spring biased, page-retaining structure.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, reference character 10 generally designates a night stand or end table which carries a book supporting device designated generally by reference character 11. The night stand includes a generally horizontal base 12 mounted upon casters or rollers 14 and supporting vertically extending sides 16. A drawer 18 is supported adjacent a top 20 of the night stand 10 and moves on runners 22 secured to the vertically extending sides 16 of the night stand as shown in FIGURE 2. The lower portion of the night stand 10 between the side walls 16 may be left open, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, or may be provided with other drawers or with a back (not shown).

The book supporting device 11 comprises a fixed or stationary, outer, generally cylindrical sleeve 24 which is secured to one side wall 16 of the night stand 10 by a pair of vertically spaced brackets 26 or other suitable means (see FIGURE 6). The outer sleeve 24 is telescoped over an inner tubular member 28 which may be adjusted in its vertical relationship to the sleeve 24 by means of a split washer and locking nut arrangement designated generally by reference character 30. The inner tubular member 28 receives one end of a generally Z-shaped supporting arm 32. The outer sleeve 24 and the tubular member 28 thus form a guide means for guiding the supporting arm 32 in its vertical movement as hereinafter described. The other end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32 is pivotally attached to a generally L-shaped book supporting backboard 34. The L-shaped backboard 34 includes agenerally vertically extending back member 36 and a shelf or ledge 38 which extends generally normal to the back member. A lamp 4%) or other suitable illuiminating device is attached to the back member 36 adjacent its upper edge and is positioned as shown in FIGURE 2 for the purpose of illuminating a book or other reading material supported on the backboard 34.

The manner in which the L-shaped book supporting backboard 34 is supported upon the Z-shaped supporting arm 32, and the structure which is used for retaining a book on the backboard is best illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5. In referring to FIGURE 3, it will be perceived that the upper end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32 projects through an aperture in the lower leg 41 of a channel bracket 42 secured to the center of the back member 36. The channel bracket 42 carries a second aperture 44 in its upper leg 46 which is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32. The end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32 is abutted against the upper leg 46 of the channel bracket 42, and contains a threaded bore 48 which receives the threaded shank of a bolt 50 which is passed through the aperture 44 (see FIGURE 5). Asuitable bearing member 52, such as a ring of high density plastic having self-lubricating properties, is disposed around a smooth portion of the shank 48 of the bolt 50 and serves as a bearing permitting the L-shaped book supporting backboard to be pivoted about the upper end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32.

A pair of spring members 54 are secured adjacent each end of the back member 36 and on the oppposite side thereof from the ledge 38. The spring members 54 project outwardly from the ends of the back member 36 and forwardly in the general direction of the ledge 38. The spring members 54 are secured in a pair of bushings 56 by a pin 58 or other suitable means, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The bushings 56 are preferably constructed of nylon, Teflon or other suitable high density synthetic resin having a relatively low coefficient of friction. A pair of elongated page-retaining fingers 60 are journaled in the bushings 56 for axial sliding movement relative thereto. The page-retaining fingers 60 may suitably be constructed of spring tempered wire or rod and carry at their outer ends small knobs 62 to permit them to be gripped with the fingers for sliding movement in the bushings 56. The inner ends of the page-retaining fingers 60 carry a small metal, plastic or rubber ball 64 which can press against the open pages of the book without causing damage thereto. The configuration and relative arrangements of the spring members 54, bushings 56 and page-retaining fingers 60 are such that the inner ends of the page-retaining fingers 60 are constantly urged or biased inwardly against the front face of the back member 36 so that the pages of a book which is placed on the L-shaped book supporting backboard 34 may be retained in the position to which they are opened.

A more economical construction of the page-retaining mechanism is illustrated in FIGURE 9. In this construction the bushing 56 takes the form of a close wound coil 65 which is formed integrally with the spring members 54.

In order to prevent the L-shaped backboard 34 from pivoting about a vertical axis extending through the upper end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32 except when such pivotation is desired, a small hook and eye latching device 66 is provided for securing the ledge 38 over and in general parallelism with the central or web por tion of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the telescoping assembly which is used to support the book supporting portion of the reading stand on the night stand 10. As previously indicated, the outer cylindrical sleeve 24 is secured to one side'16 of the night stand by brackets 26 welded to the sleeve 24 or by other suitable means. A fiat, spring supporting plug 68 is secured in the open lower end of the outer cylindrical sleeve 24 and forms a base or support for a helical spring 70 which is received in the outer sleeve 24. A floating plug 72 is slidably mounted in the outer sleeve 24 and rests on the upper end of the helical spring 70.

The floating plug 72 is pressed into the lower end of an inner tubular member 28 and is retained in fixed position relative to the tubular member 28 by a threaded screw or bolt 74 which is extended through the tubular member 28 into the plug 72. A bushing 76 is loosely fitted around the shank of the bolt 74 and provides a bearing permitting the bolt 74 to more easily slide in a vertical guide slot 78 formed in the wall of the outer sleeve 24. The guide slot 78 extends over a major portion of the length of the outer sleeve 24, and, in general, should be long enough to permit the book supporting device 11 to be raised and lowered to any desired extent. As has been previously indicated, the inner tubular member 28 is telescoped in the outer sleeve 24 and is axially slidable relative thereto, being biased upwardly in the outer sleeve 24 by the helical spring 78. Rotational movement of the inner tubular member 28 relative to the outer sleeve 24 is prevented by the confinement of the bolt 74 and bushing 76 in the guide slot 78.

For the purpose of permitting the position of the inner tubular member 28 relative to the outer sleeve 24 to be fixed when adjusting the height of the L-shaped backboard 34, the split washer and locking nut arrangement 30 to which reference has hereinbefore been made is provided. The split washer and locking nut arrangement 30 comprises a locking nut 80 which threadedly engages the upper end of the outer sleeve 24 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8. An annular washer 82, which may conveniently be of the well known split washer construction, is positioned atop the upper end of the outer sleeve 24 and is dimensioned to fit within the bore of the locking nut 80. The annular washer 82 is constructed of a resilient material which will expand radially when placed in axial compression. Thus, as the locking nut 80 is screwed downwardly on the upper end of the outer sleeve 24, the washer 82 is compressed in an axial direction and expanded in a radial direction so as to grip the periphery of the inner tubular member 28. Axial movement of the inner tubular member 28 relative to the outer sleeve 24- is thus arrested, and the height of the L-shaped backboard 34 is thus set at a desired level as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

The lower end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32 is telescoped into the inner tubular member 23 and carries at its lower extremity, a transverse slot 88 which engages a protuberance or key 99 on the plug 72. When the key 94} engages the transverse slot 88 in the lower end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32, the supporting arm is prevented from rotating relative to the outer sleeve 24 and the night stand 10. A pair of high density, synthetic resin, annular collars 92 are positioned around the lower end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32 to permit the supporting arm to slide vertically in the inner tubular member 28 without binding, and without looseness or play.

Operation In using the reading stand of the invention, the night stand It) is rolled on the casters or rollers 14 to a position adjacent the side of a bed. As previously indicated, the reading stand may be used on either side of the bed, and may support a book for reading regardless of whether the head of the reader is positioned toward the foot of the bed or toward the head of the bed.

The locking nut is then screwed upwardly on the outer cylindrical sleeve 24 to relieve the annular washer 82 from compression and permit the inner tubular member 28 to be raised or lowered in order to bring the book supporting device 11 to the proper vertical position. The book supporting device 11 may be easily raised without the requirement of substantial strength on the part of the operator by virtue of the inclusion of the helical spring 79 which tends to bias the book supporting device 11 upwardly. When the L-shaped backboard 34 has been vertically positioned as desired by the reader, the locking nut 8% is tightened to prevent further movement of the inner tubular member 28 relative to the outer cylindrical sleeve 24.

After the vertical height of the hook supporting de vice 11 has been adjusted to the desired position, the L-shaped backboard 34 is next adjusted at the proper angle relative to the reader by pivoting it about a vertical axis which extends through the upper end of the Z- shaped supporting arm 32. Pivotation of the backboard 34 on the supporting arm 32 is facilitated by the annular bushing 52 around the bolt 59 which secures the channel bracket 42 to the upper end of the Z-shaped supporting arm 32. In most instances, a position in which the backboard 34 is in parallelism with the web or central portion of the L-shaped supporting arm 32 will be convenient for the reader. In this position, in advertent pivotation of the L-shaped backboard 34 is prevented by engaging the hook and eye latching means 66 so as to interconnect the ledge 38 of the backboard 34 with the Z-shaped supporting arm 32.

Reading material of substantially any size is next placed on the backboard 34 with its lower edge resting on the ledge 38. The page-retaining fingers 60 are then adjusted to a position such that the small balls 64 on the inner ends of the fingers 69 will bear against the open pages of the book or magazine at the margin thereof and will therefore not impair the readers ability to perceive all of the printing on the pages. Adjustment of the fingers 6% may be effected by sliding them axially in the bushings 56.

It will be perceived that further adjustment of the position in which the book is held may be maintained by canting or angling the night stand 10. However ,this Will usually not be necessary since sufficient adjustability is provided in the other elements of the apparatus to permit the book to be retained in substantially any desired position relative to a reader reclining in bed.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it Will be perceived that the present invention provides a novel reading stand which is highly useful and is adjustable in several respects to permit a book, magazine or other reading material to be supported in substantially any position over a bed. The device can also, of course, be used to support reading material in an easily observed position before a wheel chair or other type of seating device.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in the foregoing specification, a number of changes and modifications may be made in the various elements of structure, and in the arrangement of the elements of such structure relative to each other, without departure from the basic principles upon which the invention is founded. For example, it is considered within the scope of the invention to provide merely a flat base member somewhat similar to the horizontal base 12 shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings in lieu of the entire night stand structure 10 there illustrated. In some situations, such as in hospitals, the former considerably simplified structure would be preferred and would still provide most of the advantages of the present invention which have been hereinbefore detailed. It is also contemplated that the channel bracket 42 and Z-shaped arm 32 might be altered in configuration to permit the back member 36 of the backboard 34 to be inclined at an angle to the vertical to more easily accommodate certain types of books and to provide a better visual angle for readers under certain circumstances. Other changes of the type thus suggested will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and insofar as such changes and innovations do not depart from the basic principles which underlie the invention, it is intended that they shall be included within the spirit and scope of the invention except as the same shall be necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equivalents thereof.

I claim:

1:. A reading stand comprising:

a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a flat surface;

a vertically extending cylindrical sleeve supported on said base member;

a generally Z-shaped supporting arm slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

resilient means mounted within said sleeve and supported thereby below said Z-shaped arm for biasing said arm upwardly;

means carried by said sleeve for securing said Z-shaped arm fixed relative to said cylindrical sleeve;

a backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said Z-shaped supporting arm for pivotation about a vertical axis; and

adjustable finger means cooperating with said backboard for supporting an opened book on said backboard, said finger means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying sizes including a pair of spring members having one end connected to said backboard and having the other ends thereof formed into a pair of close wound coils; and

an elongated spring metal finger slidably extended through each of said coils and having one end thereof biased toward said backboard.

2. A composite book holding device and night stand comprising:

a night stand having a base, side walls, a top and at least one drawer slidably mounted therein;

a hollow, vertically extending, cylindrical sleeve secured to one side Wall of said night stand;

a tubular member slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

spring means in said cylindrical sleeve resiliently urging said tubular member upwardly in said sleeve;

guide means for preventing rotation of said tubular member relative to said sleeve about the common axis of said tubular member and sleeve;

means carried by the cylindrical sleeve for arrresting the sliding movement of said tubular member relative to said sleeve to fix the vertical position of said tubular member;

a generally Z-shaped supporting arm having a vertically upper end and a vertically extending lower end slidably telescoped in said tubular member;

a generally L-shaped backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said supporting arm for pivotation about the upper end of said supporting arm, said L-shaped backboard having a generally vertically extending back member secured to the upper end of said supporting arm, and a generally horizontally extending ledge secured to said back member for supporting the lower edge of a book;

elongated, resilient finger means cooperating with said backboard for supporting an opened book on said backboard, said finger means being axially adjustable in a substantially horizontal plane to accommodate books of varying sizes;

spring means interconnecting said finger means and said backboard and resiliently biasing said spring means inwardly against the back member of said backboard; and

latching means for latching said backboard to said Z-shaped supporting arm to prevent rotation of said backboard on said supporting arm.

3. A reading stand comprising a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a fiat surface:

a vertically extending cylindrical sleeve supported on said base member;

a generally Z-shaped supporting arm having vertically extending upper and lower ends;

a tubular member slidably telescoped around the lower end of said Z-shaped supporting arm and slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

means in said tubular member supporting said Z-shaped supporting arm and limiting downward movement of said supporting arm in said tubular member;

adjustable means adjustably secured to the upper end of said cylindrical member. and adjustable into and out of frictional engagement with said tubular member for arresting the axial sliding movement of said tubular member relative to said cylindrical sleeve;

means detachably engaging said Z-shaped supporting arm with said cylindrical sleeve to prevent rotation of said arm relative to said sleeve about a common vertically extending axis, said detachable engaging means comprising first key means in said tubular member engaging said Z-shaped supporting arm when said Z- s'haped supporting arm is telescoped downwardly to its limit of travel in said tubular arm, and second key means engaging said tubular member and said cylindrical sleeve for preventing rotation of said tubular member relative to said cylindrical sleeve;

21 backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said Z-shaped supporting arm for pivotation about a vertical axis; and

adjustable finger means cooperating with said back board for supporting an opened book on said backboard, said finger means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying sizes.

A reading stand comprising: 7

a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a flat surface;

a vertically extending cylindrical sleeve supported on said base member, said cylindrical sleeve having an axially extending guide slot intermediate the ends thereof;

a generally Z-shaped supporting arm having vertically t 8 extending upper and lower ends transversely slotted at its lower end;

a tubular member slidably telescoped around the lower end of said Z-shaped supporting arm and slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

means in said tubular member supporting said Z-shaped supporting arm and limiting downward movement of said supporting arm in said tubular member;

adjustable means adjustably secured to the upper end of said cylindrical member and adjustable into and out of frictional engagement with said tubular member for arresting the axial sliding movement of said tubular member relative to said cylindrical sleeve;

a plug secured in the lower end of said tubular member;

a key on said plug detachably engaging the slot in the lower end of said supporting arm;

bearing means secured to said tubular member adjacent the lower end thereof and projecting radially therefrom through the guide slot in said cylindrical sleeve;

a backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said Z-shaped supporting arm for pivotation about a vertical axis; and

adjustable finger means cooperating with said backboard for supporting an opened book on said backboard, said finger means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying sizes.

5. An article of manufacture comprising:

a base member;

a holder mounted on said base member, said holder comprising:

an outer, cylindrical member closed at its lower end and mounted on said base member;

an inner cylindrical member slidably mounted within said outer cylindrical member;

means engaging said inner and outer cylindrical members to arrest relative motion therebetween;

key means for preventing relative rotational movement between said inner and outer cylindrical members at such time as the means defined immediately above is disengaged;

a vertically movable supporting arm telescoped into said inner tubular member;

second key means in said tubular member for engaging said arm when said arm is telescoped downwardly to its limit of travel in said tubular member; and

article supporting means carried on the upper portion of said arm.

6. A reading stand comprisin a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a surface; and

a holder mounted on said base member and comprisa vertically movable supporting arm;

a backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said supporting arm for pivotation about a vertical axis, said backboard including a substantially monoplanar back member having a lower edge, and a shelf secured along the lower edge of said back member and projecting outwardly from one side of said back member; and adjustable book holding finger means attached to said back member above said shelf and including a pair of elongated, two-ended spring members secured at one of their ends to the opposite side of said monoplanar back member from the side thereof carrying said shelf and spaced from each other therealong, each of said elongated spring members being bent through an angle to dispose their other ends on the side of said back member carrying said shelf, a bushing secured to said other end of each of said spring members; and an elongated spring metal finger slidably extended through each of said bushings and each having an end terminating in vertically spaced relation to said lower edge of said back member for retaining books and the like in an opened, flattened status against said back member while resting on said shelf. 7. A reading stand comprising: a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a surface; a book holder adjustably attached to said base member and including vertically movable supporting arm means;

guide means supported by, and extending upwardly from, said base member and cooperating with said vertically movable supporting arm means for guiding said supporting arm means in its vertical movement;

elongated resilient means having a first end supported by said guide means and its other end contacting said vertically movable supporting arm means for biasing said supporting arm means upwardly away from said base member;

means contacting said supporting arm means for locking said supporting arm means against vertical motion;

a backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said supporting arm means for pivotation about a vertical axis substantially bisecting said backboard; and

latching means for latching said backboard to said vertically movable supporting arm means to prevent pivotation of said backboard on said vertically movable supporting arrn means.

8. A reading stand comprising:

a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a surface;

a book holder adjustably attached to said base member and including a vertically extending cylindrical sleeve supported on said base member;

a generally Z-shaped supporting arm slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

resilient means mounted in said sleeve and supported thereby below said Z-shaped supporting arm for biasing said arm upwardly;

means on said sleeve for arresting the relative movement between said sleeve and arm;

a backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said arm for pivotation about a vertical axis; and

latching means for latching said backboard to said 10 Z-shaped supporting arm to prevent pivotation of said backboard.

9. A reading stand comprising:

a base member adapted to support said reading stand on a fiat surface;

a vertically extending cylindrical sleeve supported on said base member;

a generally Z-shaped supporting arm slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

resilient means mounted within said sleeve and sup- .ported thereby below said Z-shaped arm for biasing said arm upwardly;

means carried by said sleeve for securing said Z-shaped arm fixed relative to said cylindrical sleeve, said means comprising a tubular member slidably telescoped around the lower end of said Z-shaped supporting arm and slidably telescoped in said cylindrical sleeve;

means in said tubular members supporting said Z-shaped supporting arm and limiting downward movement of said supporting arm in said tubular member; and

adjustable means adjustably secured to the upper end of said cylindrical member and adjustable into and out of frictional engagement with said tubular member for arresting the axial sliding movement of said tubular member relative to said cylindrical sleeve;

a backboard pivotally secured to the upper end of said Z-shaped supporting arm for pivotation about a vertical axis; and

adjustable finger means cooperating with said backboard for supporting an open book on said backboard, said finger means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying sizes.

10. A reading stand as claimed in claim 9 and further characterized to include means detachably engaging said Z-shaped supporting arm with said cylindrical sleeve to prevent rotation of said arm relative to said sleeve about a common vertically extending axis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 366,479 7/87 Hammermiller 248-162 889,637 6/08 Rowell 248-402 1,257,586 2/18 Deming 248-457 1,299,164 4/ 19 Fraser 248-457 1,392,200 9/21 Nakoney 248-448 1,928,327 9/33 Butler 312-280 X 1,999,844 4/35 McElroy 248-162 X 2,092,669 9/ 37 Greve 248-402 X FOREIGN PATENTS 86,158 10/ 55 Norway.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

7. A READING STAND COMPRISING: A BASE MEMBER ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID READING STAND ON A SURFACE; A BOOK HOLDER ADJUSTABLY ATTACHED TO SAID BASE MEMBER AND INCLUDING VERTICALLY MOVABLE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS; GUIDE MEANS SUPPORTED BY, AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM, SAID BASE MEMBER AND COOPERATING WITH SAID VERTICALLY MOVABLE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS FOR GUIDING SAID SUPPORTING ARM MEANS IN ITS VERTICAL MOVEMENT; ELONGATGED RESILIENT MEANS HAVING A FIRST END SUPPORTED BY SAID GUIDE MEANS AND ITS OTHER END CONTACTING SAID VERTICALLY MOVABLE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS FOR BIASING SAID SUPPORTING ARM MEANS UPWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID BASE MEMBER; MEANS CONTACTING SAID SUPPORTING ARM MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID SUPPORTING ARM MEANS AGAINST VERTICAL MOTION; A BACKBOARD PIVOTALLY SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SUPPORTING ARM MEANS FOR PIVOTATION ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS SUBSTANTIALLY BISECTING SAID BACKBOARD; AND LATCHING MEANS FOR LATCHING SAID BACKBOARD TO SAID VERTICALLY MOVABLE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS TO PREVENT PIVOTATION OF SAID BACKBOARD ON SAID VERTICALLY MOVABLE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS. 